Toy or display device



W. R. WILLIAMS.

TOY 0R DISPLAY DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-11,1918.

Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHE ET 1.

W; R. WILLIAMS.

TOY 0R DISPLAY DEVICE.

. APPLICATION FILED DEC-11,1918.

Patented Jan. 6,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 III? WILLIAM R. WILLIAMS, OF OWENSBORO,KENTUCKY.

'rov on Dis-PLAY nnvrcn.

Application filed December 11. 1918.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that'l, lVILLiAM R. WVILLIAMS, citizen of the United States, residing at Owensboro, in the county of Daviess and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toys or Display Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved toy or display device and has as its primary object to provide a device of this character which may be used either primarily as a toy or may be used in show windows, upon automobiles or other vehicles or boats, as a display device.

The invention has as a further object to provide a device of the above described character employing front and rear figures or characters having jointed legs and wherein the legs of the figures may be actuated by a fan or other approved means so that the front figure will have the appearance of running from the rear figure while the rear figure will have the appearance of running after the front figure. r

A still further object in this connection is to provide a device of the above described character wherein the front figure will rep resent an enemy of the United States, while the rear figure "ill represent a likeness of Uncle Sam, a mythical personage symbolical of the United States, so that when the device is in operation, the figure repi-esentlng Uncle Sam will have the appearance of chasing the figure representing an enemy.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a toy in which a figure simulating the human figure has its body supported on a standard so that the standard may be bent to give the body the desired inclination. The standard also is normally ogee so that it may be bent a little more or straightened out to adjust the position of thefigure vertically with respect to the base, and this is important because the figure has pivoted legs which are moved in imitation of running. Another feature is the provision of arms whose sections are connected with each other and to the body by stifi joints so that the arms may be set to correspond'with the in.- clination of the body.

And the invention has as a still further object to provide a toy or display device which will be particularly characterized by simplicity of construction while, at the same time, the device will prove durable in use.

Specification of Letters Patent.

cures, and

Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

Serial no. 266,287.

Other and incidental objects will appea during the course of the detailed description of the invention. In the drawings, wherein I have illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein similarreference characters parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved device,

Fig. 2 1s a plan view, the arms of the designate corresponding figures being broken away and shown in l section, v

Fig. 3 is an end elevation, the figures being removed as is also the driving fan of the device, I

Fig. .L is an elevation showing the fan in detail,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the front figure in detail,

1 Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 5 and showing the rear figure in detail,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the mounting of the feet of the fig- Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to 7.

In carrying the invention into efiect Iemploy a base 10 from which upstand-spaced parallel frame members 11 extending long-itudinally of the base. These framemembers may, if desired, be formedintegral with the base and, as will be observed uponreference to Fig. 2, the front frame member is slightly spaced inwardly from-the front side edge of the base while the rear frame member is disposed flush with the rear side edge of the base. The frame membersare, as

particularly brought out in Fig. 3, of skeleton construction, of oppositely disposed 13 and 14 respectively, the bearing portions of each frame member b'eingjoined by transand are formed with pairs bearing portions 12,

versely extending connecting bars '15. The

bearing portions 12 are provided with suitable openings and pressed into these openings from the inner sides of said portions are bushings 16. The pair of bearing portions 13 is similarly equipped with like bushings 17, while similar bushings'lS are mounted upon the bearing portions 14:. J ournaled at its end portions through the pair of bushings-16 is a crank shaft 19 provided with spaced cranks 20. J ournaled through the pair of bushings 17 is a similar crank shaft 21 provided with spaced cranks 22. Fitted over the inner ends of these crank shafts at bent into ogee form.

the outside of the rear frame member are Washers 23 and engaged through the inner terminals of said shafts to confront said washers are stop pins 24. At their outer ends the shafts are, as shown in Fig. 3 in connection with the shaft 19, provided with reduced terminals 25 projecting at the outer side of the front frame member and threaded upon these terminals are pulleys 26 against the outer faces ofwhich the terminals 25 of the shafts are overturned, as shown at 27, for thus permanently and rigidly connecting the ulleys with the shafts.

pstanding from the base 10 medially thereof in advance of the shaft 19 and at the rear of the shaft 21 are oppositely disposed standards or supporting rods 28 and 29, each These rods are preferably formed of pliable material and the lower ends thereof are sunk into the base for thus rigidly connecting the rodstherewith. At their lower end portions the rods project vertically from the base in upstanding parallel relation. However, at the plane of the shafts 19 and 21, the rod 28 is bent to provide a rearwardly inclined portion 30 extending over and above the shaft 19 and at the upper end of said rearwardly inclined portion is then again bent to define an up wardly "directed terminal 31 lying in a vertical plane with said shaft. The rod 29 is similarly bent to define a forwardly directed inclined portion 32 extending over and above the shaft 21 and is then provided with an upwardly directed terminal 33 lying in a vertical plane with said shaft. Mounted upon the terminal 31 of the rod 28 is a figure representing some enemy. This figure comprises a body block 3 1 upstanding from the terminal 31 of the rod and into the lower end of which said terminal is sunk for firmly connecting the figure with the rod. As articularly shown in Fig. 2, the body block 3 1 is preferably provided with fiat sides, and as brought out in detail in Fig. 5, is cut away or contracted at its upper end to form the base 35 of a neck portion. Mounted upon this base is a head block 36. The head block 36 is cut awa at its forward ed e to re )re ed inner arm sections 39 sent the profile of the enemy while the upper and rear edges of the block are cut away to represent a spiked helmet such as the enem is here pictured as wearing. The block 36 is also provided with flat sides and is rel atively thin. Formed from the'block is a neck portion 37 secured to the neck base 35 in any approved manner for connecting the head block therewith. Extending transversely through the body block adjacent its upper end is a pivot rod 38 upon which are mountand mounted upon said arm sections are outer arm sections 10 pivotally connected to the inner arm sections by rivets or other suitable fastening devices 41; The j oints between the inner and outer arm sections as well as between the inner arm sections and the body block are relatively stiff so that the arms of the figure will remain in different positions to which they may be shifted. The outer arm sections 40 are, at their outer ends, formed to represent gloved hands 42, and in the right hand of the figure is preferably formed a cross 43, this cross representing some enemy emblem or decoration. Extending transversely through the body block 34 adjacent its lower end is a pivot rod 44 upon which are swingingly mounted upper leg sections 45 and connected by rivets or other suitable fastening devices 46 to said leg sections are lower leg sections 47. Swingingly mounted upon the lower ends of the lower leg sections are feet 47 As particularly shown in Figs. 7 and 8, these feet each comprise a pair of side plates spaced apart and connected by a toe block 47 The lower end portions of the lower leg sections are freely received between the side plates of the feet and, as will be observed, the cranks 20' of the shaft 19 extend through the side plates and the lower leg sections for pivotally connecting the feet therewith. Furthermore, the legs of the figure are thus connected with the crank shaft 19 so that when this shaft is rotated tl e legs of the figure will be caused to move as in the operation of running. The blocks 47 form weights in the toe portions of the feet so that, as shown in Fig. 1, the feet will normally pivot upon the cranks 20 to engage the blocks with stop lugs 47 projecting forwardly from the front edges of the lower leg sections at their lower ends, these lugs thus normally limiting the feet in their forward and downward pivotal movement. The figure may be ornamented by being painted to represent the enemy' costume or uniform. Also faces may be provided by painting the head block or, if preferred, pieces of paper each bearing a likeness may be pasted or otherwise secured to the sides of the block.

ldounted upon the terminal 33 of the rod 29 is a figure representing a likeness of Uncle Sam, mythical personage symbolical of the United States. This figure includes a body block 18 preferably of a thickness corresponding to that of the body block 3% of the other figure. The terminal 33 of the rod is sunk into the lower end of the body block for firmly connecting the figure with said rod and at its upper end the block is re duced or contracted to form the base 49 of a neck portion. Secured to this base is a head block 50 of a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the head block 36. The block is cut away to represent the outline of a hat and at its forward edge is also cut away to represent the profile of Uncle Sam. Extending transversely through the bodv block 28 adjacent its upper V 51 upon which are pivotally mounted inner end is a rod Z a 111 sections 52 and pivotally connected to the inner arm sections by rivets or other suitable fastening devices 53, are outer arm sections 5 1. At their outer ends, these latter arm sections are formed to represent hands and in the right hand of the figure is formed an upwardly directed sword 55. As in the instance of the figure mentioned above, the joints between the inner and outer arm sections 52 and 5 1 as well as between the inner arm sections and the body block are relatively stiff so that the arms will remain in such position as they may be placed. EX- tending transversely through the body block 48 adj acent. itslower end is a rod 56 and pivotally mounted upon this rod are upper leg sections 57. Mounted upon the upper leg sections are lower leg sections 58 pivotally connected to the former sections by rivets or other suitable fastening devices 59, and swingingly mounted upon the lower ends of the lower sections are feet 59 These feet are similar to the feet 4! pre viously described, comprising side plates connected by toe blocks similar to the toe blocks 47. The lower endsof the sections 58 are freely received between the side plates of the feet and the cranks 22 of the shaft 21 extend through said plates and the lower ends of the lower leg sections for swingingly connecting the feet therewith. Further, the lower leg sections will thus be connected with said shaft so that when theshaft is rotatechthelegs of the figure will be moved as in the operation of running. It will, of course, be understoodthat the leg sections 58 are, at their lower ends, provided with stop lugs similar to the stop lugs 47 to coact with the toe blocks of the feet 59 for limiting said feet, in their forward and clownward pivotal movement. The figure of Uncle Sam may be ornamented in any: approved manner to represent clothes upon the figure. A likeness of the face may be painted upon each side of the head block or pieces of paper each bearing such likeness may be secured to the block.

Journaled through the bushings 18 of the bearing portions 14: is a drive shaft 60. At its outer end this drive shaft is provided with a reduced terminal 61 similar to the terminals 25 of the shafts 19 and 21 and threaded upon said teminal is a pulley 62 against the outer face of which the terminal is upset, as shown at 63, for rigidly connecting the pulley with the shaft. 1 Thepulley 62 is provided in its periphery with spaced grooves in the innermost of which is engaged a belt 6% while a belt 65 is engaged in the outermost of said grooves, these belts being trained around the pulleys 26 of the shafts 19 and 21. Consequently, upon the rotation of the drive shaft, the shafts 19 and 21 will be simultaneously rotated in the same direction as the drive shaft. At its the base 10.

inner end tile shaft 60 is provided with a reduced terminal 66 and threaded upon said terminal is the hub 67 of a driving fan, the outer end of said terminal being upset against the hub for rigidly connecting the fan with the shaft. The fan proper is, as particularly shown in Fig. *1, formed from a single piece of sheet metal from which struck a plurality of fan blades 68 radiating from a center plate 69 and surrounded and. connected by a peripheral ring 70. The hub 67 of the fan is, at its outer end, provided with a radial flange 71 for contact with the centerplate 69 of the fan proper and connecting this plate with said hub isa plurality of rivets or other suitable fastening devices 72. 7

As will now be readily understood, a current of air striking the driving fan of the device will rotate the drive shaft GO'to accordingly simultaneously actuate the legs of the figures in the manner previously de scribed. Therefore, when the device is in operation, the front figure will have the appearance of runningrwhile the rear figure will have the appearance of running after the front figure, and in view of the personages represented by these figures, it will be seenthat the device will provide a highly patriotic display device as well as an attractive toy. If desired, the rod 28 may be bent to incline the front figure forwardly somewhat so as to better assume a running position while the rod 29 may be similarly bent to incline the rear figure forwardly in position closely following the front figure, thus making it appear that the rear figureis about to catch or inflict injury upon the front figure. The ogee formation of each supporting rod also enables it to be bent to raise or lower the figures, and to adjust them variously with respect to the crank shafts, Furthermore, the arms of the figures may be adjusted, as desired, to enhance the effect. However, I do not. wish to be limited to the particular figures shown, as other figures may besubstituted therefor, nor do. I wish to be limited to the use of a fan specifically as a driving means for the figures, as a suitable motor, such as a small'electric motor, may be coupled'with the shaft'60 for thus driving the shaft and equally effective re-' sults attained. Consequently,Treserve the right to make all such minor changesas fall within the scope of the appended claims.

. It is now to be noted that the figures are so mounted with respect to the base that when the legs of the figures are moved by rotation of the shafts 19 and 21, the toe portions of the feet 47* and 59 -will strike Consequently, when the feet are actuated to simulate the operation of running, the feet will accordingly clatter against the base to roduce a resultant sound. Furthermore, it will be seen that as the cranks of the shafts continue in their downward movei'nent and then start up wardly, the feet of the figures will be drawn over the surface of the base to further produce a scraping soundso that the feet will thus coact with the base for producing a noise simulating the noise made in the operation of running.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is: r

l. A device of the character described including a base, a pliable support of ogee forn'l rising therefrom, driving mechanism on the base, and a figure toy comprising a body mounted on said support and adapted to be adjusted in its height and inclination by bending legs pivoted to the body and connected with said driving mechanism, and

arms pivotally connected with the body by stiff joints, for the purpose set forth.

2. A device of thecharacter described in cluding a base, spaced frame men'i'bers uptanding therefrom, parallel crank shafts journaled upon the said frame men'ibers, figures above the base and arranged one in front of the other, said figures being provided with pivoted legs connected with the cranks of said shafts, means for supporting the figures adjustably to permit change in the position of their bodies, said figures having arms, means for adjusting the position of the arms, a drive shaft journaled upon the frame members between the crank shafts and operatively connected therewith for simultaneously rotating the crank shafts, and means for rotating the drive shaft.

3. A device of the character described including a base, spaced frame members up tanding therefrom, parallel crank shafts journaled upon the said frame members, figures arranged one in front of the oth r, and provided with pivoted legs connected with the cranks of said shafts, means for adjustably supporting the figures above the base, drive shaft journaled upon tne frame 'ineinbers between the crank shafts and operatively connected therewith for sirhultaneously rotating the crank shafts, and a driving fan carried by the drive shaft for rotating such shaft. V

4. A device of the character described including a base, parallel crank shafts carried thereby, pliable supporting rods .up

su oorted noon the base l 9 standing from the base at the outer sides of said shafts and at their upper ends directed inwardly thereover, figures mounted upon the upper ends of said supporting rods to the eranksof said shafts, and means for simultaneously rotating the shafts.

A device of'the character described 1neluding a base, parallel crank shafts carried thereby, pliable supporting rods upstanding the base at the: outer sides thereof, ee mounted upon said rods and proed with pivoted legs connected to the cranks of said shafts, the rocs being adapted to be bent for changing t no normal position he figures, and means for simultaneously ro ating the shafts. V

6. In a device of the character described, the coi'ubination with a flat base, a crank shaft extending across the same, and a; support risingfron'i the base and with its upper end. bent over and rising above said shaft; f a figure toy, including a body mounted u said support and having arms, legs pivoped othe-body and each lower leg section a lug projecting forwardly from its nd, and for said leg a foot consistside plates pivotally mounted on the '73 with the base when the legs are moved'by the she ad means for rotating the shafts. 8. A u ice of the character described in cluding a base, sp c-ed crank shafts carried thereby, spaced pliable rods of ogee form he rods and provided with pivoted legs Collar pivoted upon the legs and adapted to clatter against the base when the legs are moved y the shafts, and means for rotating the shafts.

In testnn ony whereof I affix my slgnature.

WILLIAM R. wiLLrAMs. a s] provided with pivoted legs connected to the le s and adapted to contact at opposite sides of the leg section V figures mounted ectcd to the cranks of said shafts, feet. 

